Volume 12, Issue 1, February 2007
Promoted to Glory
Mary Edna Lionberger January 9, 1913 – December 9, 2006
Edna Lionberger was born in Dexter, New Mexico. As she grew up her goals were to make money, buy a new car, travel, and have nice furniture and clothes. She achieved these goals by working for The Public Works Administration, Cartage, Illinois, and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office in Springfield. But as she began to listen to Christian radio, her desire to study the Bible grew. She took Moody Bible Institute courses at home and eventually decided to sell her car and attend Moody in Chicago. She wanted to be a helper in God’s service.
When Edna learned that business school training could be used on the mission field, she applied to Latin American Mission and sailed by freighter, January 1942 for Costa Rica. She worked in the office in English and Spanish. Outside the office she sang in trios, a mixed quartet, choir, played the piano for church, and taught SS and ladies classes.
After 10 years she was having health problems and so were her parents. Edna returned to Quincy, and after recuperation started working again. During the next years she worked at the following places: Chapel of the Air – Quincy; WGEM Radio; Quincy Broadcasting; Calvary Baptist Church – Joe Bower, pastor; Baptist Children’s home; and the office of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
In 1977 she retired and moved to Maranatha Village, Sebring, Florida, where she lived for almost 30 years. She worked at the village office and was elected church clerk. After retiring from the village work she decided to do volunteer work. But where? The following is a quote from Edna:
“I started volunteering at EBI. It has been possible to do typing in Spanish at the office, and proofreading of Spanish SS lessons and Bible study books in my home or apartment, thus having a small part in the distribution of Christian literature to Spanish-speaking people in the US and Central and South America – I am thankful to be just a helper in the Lord’s work from my desk and office chair.
Now, my office chair and I are showing signs of wear and tear. Perhaps something can be done by way of repair of the chair, and I am praising and thanking the Lord for choosing me before the foundation of the world, for his guidance, love and care, and I am awaiting the time of meeting Him up there.”
We at EBI are thankful to have known this precious saint of God, and greatly appreciate the many years of faithful volunteer service she gave us.
New Addition to our Women’s Series
The third addition to our women’s Bible study is now available. Aumenta Mi Fe, Señor (Stretch My Faith, Lord ), is a study of the book of James, written by Juanita Purcell. These studies are excellent for personal or group Bible study. Price: $3.00.
Testimonial – Gustavo Céspedez
“I have been asked many times by the staff of EBI to use their adult Sunday school material. I always considered it difficult to understand. Just recently I was looking for material for my Spanish Sunday school class. I could not come up with any ideas. I asked the Lord to give me something I could teach. I picked up ‘Cuando la Iglesia era Joven y Audaz’ and started to read the first lesson. WOW! There is so much material to teach and so easy to understand. I am excited about using this series on the book of Acts.”
EBI note: Three different people over the years tried to get Gustavo to use EBI adult Sunday school material, but he never was interested. When the Lord led him to this book on Acts, Gustavo got excited about using it. Pray that others will be lead by the Lord to start using our materials.
New Theological Curriculum Program
EBI is endeavoring to partner with missionaries, national pastors and churches that are asking for discipleship materials for all levels of spiritual maturity. As part of the development of this program, EBI reorganized its catalog and website to assist those looking for materials currently available.
We are excited that Bruce Burkholder has accepted the directorship of this program, and has begun preparing a college-level course for men preparing for the ministry. The first course, Hermeneutics, has proven to be a bigger-than-expected task. Preparing this self-contained course has involved writing a detailed annotated outline of the course content, choosing an appropriate textbook, locating other reference materials and suggesting testing materials. When completed, this course will be available to Bible colleges, seminaries, Bible institutes, and churches that want to teach such a course but may not have the resources to do so. Our goal is to have the first course in Spanish available by early this year, with others to follow in future months.
Teaching what we prepare
Bruce Burkholder was invited to teach the course that he developed to a group of about fifteen people at Iglesia Bautista Hispana in Waterloo, Iowa. The twenty-hour module was a joint effort between Baptist Church Planters (BCP), Gospel Literature Services and EBI. The entire series was recorded on video, and the DVD series is available to audit or take for credit through BCP.
Memorial Gifts Given
In Memory of — Given by
John Salsted — Mary Rodgers
Isabel Reiter — Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Reiter
John Selstad — Maranatha Baptist Church
Dr. George Birch — Stanley Heights Baptist Church
Lola Fechner — Brian and Janet Hilliker
Edna Lionberger — John Lionberger
Edna Lionberger — Lorna Rothert
Edna Lionberger — Celia Seamans